Artists at SXSW 2025 You Don’t Want To Miss

Heading to SXSW this year? If you’re looking to experience some new artists, these talented humans are a few of our personal favorites that you definitely don’t want to miss. Check them out right here…

Artists at SXSW 2025 You Don’t Want To Miss

The Bends

“Born in the dorms of Louisiana State University, The Bends have quickly emerged as a force in the North American college music scene. The Baton Rouge-based quartet is comprised of frontman Hayden Field (22), lead guitarist Ian Marmande (22), bassist Chase Perkins (21), and drummer and backing vocalist Jacob Rhodes (21). With an undeniable chemistry and knack for crafting anthem rock songs, they’ve captivated audiences and earned a reputation as one of the most exciting up and coming bands…” // Discover more on Spotify… 🔊

Caroline Hale

Caroline Hale is a rising indie-pop artist with a voice that blends raw emotion with effortless charm. Her music is a mix of heartfelt storytelling and dreamy melodies, drawing inspiration from folk, alternative, and modern pop. With honest lyrics and a sound that feels both intimate and cinematic, she’s quickly making a name for herself in the indie scene. Whether she’s performing stripped-down acoustic tracks or layered, atmospheric productions, Caroline’s music hits right in the feels. // Discover more on Spotify… 🔊

The Criticals

“The Criticals are a Nashville-based rock band formed by Parker Forbes and Cole Shugart. Since officially forming in 2018, The Criticals have proven themselves a powerful and fierce duo — one with both a diverse musical appetite in their songwriting and a whiplash live show that’s drawn sellout crowds in major US markets, including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Now, following their highly-regarded EPs — 2019’s Mimosa Hygiene and the following year’s Sour Grapes — not to mention a steady diet of raucous live shows, the band has released their most accomplished work yet with Front Door Confrontations, The Criticals’ thrilling new six-track EP, out now on Fantasy Records.” // Discover more on Spotify… 🔊

Dead Gowns

Dead Gowns is the indie-folk project of Portland-based artist Geneviève Beaudoin, blending introspective lyrics with haunting, melancholic melodies. Her music feels like a late-night conversation—honest, intimate, and full of emotion. With a sound that drifts between folk, rock, and lo-fi indie, Dead Gowns captures the beauty in vulnerability and the weight of nostalgia. Whether it’s a stripped-down acoustic moment or a layered, atmospheric track, every song feels like a quiet revelation. // Discover more on Spotify… 🔊

The Dumes

“The Dumes sound developed as a reaction to the increasingly strange, toxic, and cyclical world around them. Frustration and aggression give way to a lighter antagonistic attitude from song to song or even section to section. The Dumes recorded their debut EP with Joe Chicarelli (The Strokes, Cherry Glazerr, Manchester Orchestra) at Sunset Sound and worked up their latest material with Rob Schnapf (The Vines, Elliott Smith, Kurt Vile) at MANT… ” // Discover more on Spotify… 🔊

Fullee Love

JURASSIC 5’s SOUP, now known as Fullee Love, brings the same smooth flow and old-school hip-hop energy that made J5 legendary, but with a fresh, funk-infused twist. As a solo artist, he blends hip-hop, soul, and groove-heavy beats, creating music that’s both nostalgic and forward-thinking. His charismatic delivery and feel-good vibes make every track a ride through hip-hop’s golden era with a modern touch. Whether spitting bars or bringing the funk, Fullee Love keeps the party going. // Discover more on Spotify… 🔊

JaRon Marshall

“JaRon Marshall, an accomplished American artist hailing from Austin, skillfully fuses elements of jazz and R&B to his compositions, “bringing futuristic vibes to soul music” as mentioned on BET. After launching his first album “earth sounds,” JaRon Marshall embarked on a tour across North America and Europe, showcasing his talent at prestigious venues and festivals like Winter Jazzfest in New York City, Montreal International Jazz Festival, LEVITATION/Austin Psych Fest, Jazz sur son 31 festival in Toulouse, SXSW, The Sugar Club (Dublin), Ronnie Scott’s (London), National History Museum (Los Angeles) and many more…” // Discover more on Spotify… 🔊

The Keystones

“The Keystones are an alternative rock group based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Born in Waukesha, the very same place as the electric guitar, the members of this 3-piece outfit pay homage to the biggest names in 2000s modern rock — Arctic Monkeys, The Killers, The Strokes, Wallows and Catfish and the Bottlemen — all while carving out a distinct, indie-alternative stadium sound that brings something entirely new to the genre. By blending Brit-indie-grunge, new-age alternative, pop rock and punk, The Keystones are determined to do more than put audiences on their feet — they want to make the town that created the guitar as we know it proud.” // Discover more on Spotify… 🔊

Nara’s Room

Nara’s Room is an indie dream-pop duo crafting lush, atmospheric soundscapes that feel like stepping into a beautifully surreal daydream. Blending ethereal vocals with hypnotic instrumentals, their music is both intimate and cinematic, drawing inspiration from shoegaze and alternative rock. Their deeply personal songwriting and layered production have earned them a growing fanbase, making waves in the underground indie scene. Whether you’re looking to get lost in a hazy, emotional sound or just need the perfect late-night soundtrack, Nara’s Room delivers. // Discover more on Spotify… 🔊

Revenge Wife

“Hi I’m Liz Nistico. Yes, I am the lead singer and writer of HOLYCHILD but now I am embarking on my solo career with Revenge Wife. Ummm, I’m writing this from my hometown of Manchester, NH. It’s always weird to be here, especially sleeping in my childhood bedroom. I feel like I’m immediately back in the past, without agency. Anyway I’m leaving tomorrow so don’t worry for me too much. Thanks for listening to my music, I really appreciate it. Sending love, xoxox Elizabeth” // Discover more on Spotify… 🔊

Shelby Ruger

Shelby Ruger is a rising artist known for her captivating blend of indie pop and alternative rock. With a voice that’s equal parts raw and mesmerizing, she creates music that’s deeply personal yet universally relatable. Drawing inspiration from emotional storytelling and atmospheric sounds, Shelby crafts songs that connect with listeners on an intimate level. Her unique style combines lush melodies with introspective lyrics, making her an artist to watch in the indie music scene. // Discover more on Spotify… 🔊

Soda Blonde

“Dublin-based band Soda Blonde return with their electrifying new single, “People Pleaser.” Following the success of “The Saddest Thing” and their critically acclaimed sophomore album, Dream Big (2023), the band continues to evolve their sound—balancing raw emotion with high-energy, anthemic intensity. “People Pleaser” is a thunderous reflection on the struggle for self-worth in a world of expectations, blending soaring guitars, driving percussion, and dynamic lyricism…” // Discover more on Spotify… 🔊

Vines

“Vines is the solo project of composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Cassie Wieland. Praised by The New York Times as “sweetly shimmering,” Vines masterfully experiments with intimate ambient and experimental pop sound worlds to achieve the massive and hand-made vibe she is often searching for. Across her practice, Vines’s music shines a light on knotty feelings that are hidden just under the surface; on her debut EP ‘Birthday Party’ she braids poignant, rich instrumentals with sparing lyrics to weave lush, contemplative tapestries, finding catharsis in fuzzed-out melodies…” // Discover more on Spotify… 🔊